*I don't own The Outsiders.

(Leslie's Point of View)

I was running as fast as I could. The throbbing in my leg was slowing me down. I had tears running down my face. I knew I was a huge disappointment to my Father at this moment. I should be able to think past the pain, keep going.

That's what I do. That's what I was here for.

I came to Vietnam to help those who needed it. I wanted to fix them. I didn't want to be the one who needed help. I was supposed to be strong. I should be able to handle this, yet I was crying my eyes out.

I didn't want to be the weak little girl everyone wanted to protect. I may be small, but I don't want to be underestimated. But, at this moment, I don't want anything more than to curl up with someone. That someone being Darry. I just wanted to curl up and hide behind him, his arm around me.

Darry and I had always been close. I consider him, and the gang, family. I missed them all more than anything. In this moment, I was scared I'd never see them again.

Darry had told me this was stupid. I could get hurt. I always just said I was only going as a nurse, I wouldn't be in battle like the soldiers. Man, I can't believe I was wrong. Here I am running in the forest in hopes of finding the other army base.

I'm leading other people, it's not only my life at stake. I hate this feeling, this pressure, of having to take care of the others. I am scared I'll fail them and we'll all die. I already feel bad that some of my patients died, I don't want to feel guilty about these people too.

We are all hurt and tried. The sounds of bombs and shots ringing in the air. It is one of the most horrifying experiences of my life. I hope I never encounter something that tops this. My eyes are huge as a bomb goes off a few hundred yards from me, body parts fly...

I wake up with a jolt. My heart is beating fast and I feel like I can't breathe. I look around me, trying to find the danger that is making my heart leap out of my chest.

Where are the sounds of bombs and dying men? All I hear is a car alarm and voices.

Where are the others I was just with? I'm alone.

I realize it's all just a nightmare. One that I had lived a month ago, not a moment ago. I am back in my room at home. In my Father's house. A few hours ago Darry had dropped me off. He left, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

The gang is always doing stuff like this for me. They offer me rides, even if I'm perfectly fine walking. Of course, I can't exactly walk far now. I can't even get down the street because of those crutches. They are so uncomfortable.

Darry and the gang always give me hugs and kisses on the cheek. It makes me happy. They're all my family. I absolutely love having them all as brothers. They're all such great people.

However, Darry's kisses on the cheek have always been more special. He isn't that big on affection, it is just difficult for him. But, when he does do stuff like that it makes me feel fantastic because I know I'm the only girl he does that too, except when he has a girlfriend.

Though, he doesn't have one now. I've always thought of Darry as a best buddy, not a brother. I don't know why. Well I didn't know why, until recently.

I draw in a deep breath and wipe the sweat off my brow. I doubt I'll get much sleep after that nightmare. I can sympathize with Ponyboy now. I never had, or understood, how someone could have a nightmare so bad that they couldn't sleep.

I know that sort of thing happened to people. I'd seen it happen with Ponyboy. I'd been there after he'd had a nightmare. I'd see the cold sweat on him, the terrified look in his eyes, and the shaking in his hands. I always felt bad, but I could never imagine a nightmare being that horrible and terrifying.

Unfortunately, I understand now.

I've recently realized how attractive Darry is. I mean I always knew he was good looking, I'm not blind. I just never realized how much I liked his looks. His dark, thick hair and those light blue eyes, the strong jaw, and he has those toned muscles, hence his nicknames Muscles and Superman. Goddamn it, I just don't understand how I'm feeling.

I've known Darry and the rest of the gang my entire life. I never dated any of them, I never wanted to. They were always there, my brothers. Dar was always my best buddy. We hung out, took care of each other, it was always natural.

I'd thought about dating him once back when I was ten. When you're that young, you don't completely grasps the feeling concept of dating. Darry and I had been discussing why older kids like to kiss. Neither of us really saw anything too great about it.

Flashback

"Why would you want to swap spit with someone you don't know? That is gross," Darry said, looking at me for an answer.

My brow furrowed as I thought it through. I didn't really see anything great about it. I shrugged, "I don't know. I seen at the DX, this girl and boy swap gum, maybe that's why people kiss. Maybe we should try it out and see," I suggested brightly.

Darry cocked his head to the side, considering my proposal. "You don't need gum, I've seen people kiss without gum. Plus, why not get your own piece. I'd want my own piece, not some girl's chewed flavorless gum. I guess we could try and see why other kids like it. I don't want to kiss a girl I don't know. That's icky, but I've known you for a long time." He shrugged and nodded in agreement.

I smiled in excitement, I always liked solving things. I don't like not understanding stuff, it makes me feel stupid, but I was a little lost. "What do we do now?"

"Um, I guess we sit across from each other and line up. Then I lean in and kiss you," Darry said, taking charge as usual.

"How long to you do it for?"

"I don't know, we need to breathe, so not that long," he muttered.

I giggled at that. We both sat, pretzel style, across from one another. Darry put his hand on my cheek and leaned in and we kissed. We sat there for a couple seconds more and we both leaned back.

"I don't get it," I said. I didn't feel anything great. Darry's lips were soft, though.

"Me neither. I guess we just got to wait until we're older or something." He shrugged, turning to face the televison again. I mirrored his action.

"Or maybe, we are just weird," I teased.

He smiled at me and threw his arm around my shoulder. We sat back and watched Mickey Mouse. Two-Bit got me attached to the stupid cartoon.

If I didn't feel anything back then, would I now? I was pretty sure I would. I don't think I should base anything off my ten year old experiences. I laughed to myself, shaking my head at the memory.

Dar and I have been friends for so long. I don't even know if he has ever even contemplated the two of us together. I don't think it would be a bad relationship. If I did, I wouldn't be thinking about this at three in the morning.

I'll have to make a move. Darry never would.

Well, this will either be the best decision of my life or the worse.

Excuse typos please. Thanks for reading this!

I just wrote a one-shot called "The Reason," you should check it out!